January, reading, and other goings-on

January 23, 2015

I’m about to head out on my last run before the half marathon on Sunday.

The radio silence around here is due to:

a) call
b) writer’s block, I guess
c) paucity of excess time
d) generalized moodiness

I think I’m burnt out from reading so many “IT’S JANUARY CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!1!!” posts that I feel like I don’t have much to add to the conversation.  It’s been a bit of a rough week, for reasons that even I do not completely understand.  It’s partly just fatigue — when you are on call, you get called and interrupted all day with people asking you for various things, and then (if you’re me) you come home and the little ones ask you for other things.  And then sometimes there are work calls (more asking) once I’m really past any point of usefulness and just want to be in bed.

It could be so much harder – I realize.  My life from an objective standpoint is as much as anyone could ask for.  But it doesn’t always feel easy.

On the up-side:
✔ So far, I’ve been sticking to my one resolution and reading every night — even if it’s only for 5 minutes, as it has been for the last 2.  I finished Wild a couple of weeks ago and then The Rosie Project last week.  For me, that’s some prolific reading!  I’m currently reading Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, which has been on my list (and downloaded on my iPad) for ages.  I keep falling asleep, but I think it’s my fault, not the book.

✔ A is signed up for camp this summer and school next year.  And I’m already thinking about what to do with C.  He’ll be 18 months in August, but the preschool where Annabel goes starts at 20 months.  I agree that 18 months is too young to worry about that sort of thing, but waiting until the year after when he’s 2 1/2 seems like a long time.  But maybe that’s crazy.  (It’s not a child care issue because we will be keeping our nanny until the kids graduate from college . . . but a question of the stimulation/social exposure for him.  Perhaps less of an issue for a second child?).

✔ My race is this weekend!!  Back in the day, I would be all hyped up about race strategy and nervous about meeting goals.  This time, I am mostly just looking forward to the race experience itself.  The weather calls for a beautifully-timed “cold” snap – a low of 54 degrees the night before the race, and a sunny clear day.  The forecasted high is 71, but since the race starts at 6am it’s likely to be quite cool for the whole thing.  Yay!

✔ I think I’m finally going to take the plunge and try to arrange one ‘night off’ per week to go to yoga/barre/?? and just have that be a break in the weekly rhythm.

Recent link love:
Penelope Loves Lists is back!  Great post on her 7 minute strategy on getting things done a little bit at a time.

Laura Vanderkam‘s strategies for creating me-time.

13 things to do with blank notebooks from The Well-Appointed Desk


Some recent(ish) pix:

In her picture-day attire.  I just love this shot for some reason.

@ the playground.  (AKA their second home.)

2 3/4 is old enough to babysit, right?


last Sunday: C’s first swim class.  He did very well!

3 Comments

  • Reply Anjanette March 10, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    I read FLOW many years ago and found it really interesting. I can definitely see why the book might not be resonating with you at the moment though– I think that being on call, while also parenting toddlers, pretty much precludes the state of complete absorption that the author describes as necessary to attain flow 🙂

    Also, if you want to send C to preschool earlier than later, let your preschool director know that you would be interested in a mid-year opening if one pops up. Often families move or switch schools, and schools are very financially motivated to fill those spots. I think it’s true that second kids have more opportunities for socialization, but if you think C would enjoy school he will also probably have no trouble starting with the year already in progress, for the same reason. My second child started preschool mid-year and loved it from the start– she was already pretty familiar with the school and the teachers (plus lots of the kids in the class were sibs she already knew) and she was excited to finally get to stay past drop-off.

    I hope the weekend forecast holds and you have a great race!

  • Reply Ameena March 10, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    Hmmm….not sure where my comment just disappeared to? I’m still having trouble commenting, although I was finally able to via Chrome.

    Anyway, I hope your race went really well. And I too am a bit tired of the "NEW YOU IN JANUARY" headlines. So ready for the "BEST CHOCOLATE RECIPES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY!"

    LOL

  • Reply urgent essays March 10, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    I too have so many plans for today and as I read your blog I feel like I can add up more things in my routine. Actually I found such interesting things in your blog and that pictures are really good to see.

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